MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12995, 10 December 1902, Page 9

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, Dec. 9. (Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.)

Indecent Exposure.—Ernest Orchard, who had been remanded on Dec. 8, on a charge of indecent exposure, for the report of the Probation Officer, now appeared before the Bench. The report being favourable, his Worship admitted the accused to probation for six months. Alleged TVeft of a Bicycle.—William Coleman, a lad, was charged with having, on Nov. 16, stolen a bicycle, value £lO,, the property of W. H. Clark. The evidence was that the accused had hired the bicycle from the informant, who was a bicycle-dealer, to go to Yaldhurst, promising to bo back in an hour. He did not return, and some time later the police traced the bicycle, which was still in the possession of the accused. He was arrested, and told the detective he would plead guilty. The accused was committed for trial. —The same accused was further charged with stealing a bicycle at Halswell, value £l2, the property of John Savage. The evidence was that, on the day in question, the informant, John Savage, left his house at Halswell at about 8 a.m. He locked the door, and returned about 12.30 p.m. The bicycle was then gone. Subsequently the informant saw a man riding the bicycle in Cathedral Square. C. Harvey said the accused had sold the bicycle produced to him. Witness inquired of the Massey-Harris Company whether a bicycle corresponding to the number of the one in Court had! been, stolen, and later bought the machine for £4 from the accused. He said that ho had bought the machine. Accused reserved his defence, and was committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court.—The same accused was further charged with having on. Sept. 7 stolon from tho house of Mrs A. Wostmacott a military overcoat, value £4, the property of John Stevenson. The accused pleaded guilty. Mr Bishop asked what were the antecedents of the accused, and Detective Chrystal replied that ho had! one conviction of fourteen clays’ for theft recorded against him. He was an ex-Burn-ham boy.. Ho was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Vagrancy.—Alfred Richards, alias Curly Richards, pleaded guilty to a charge of being without lawful visible means of support. Mr Donnelly appeared for the accused, who was remanded) for a week to enable him to make an effort to obtain honest work. False Pretences. James Frederick Nelson, charged with falsely representing a brass ring to be a gold one, and obtaining 4o for it, was" sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard,; labour.

An Echo from the Veldt.—Win. H. J. Birmingham was charged with having, on or about August 1, 1962, at Newcastle. South Africa, stolen a silver watch, valued at £4. the property of Walter Burns. The accused was remanded until Dec. 17. The same accused was also charged with stealing a pair of field-glasses, valued at £5, tho property of Sergeant Calder, on board the troopship Orient, and from the same ship a leather satchell, the property of F. J. Williams. These cases were also remanded, bail being allowed. The By-laws.—Benjamin Drury pleaded was charged with .cruelly ill-treating a horse, by working it while suffering from a girth gall. After hearing evidence, the Bench inflicted a fine of 20s and costs.

The Bi-laws. —Banjamin Drury pleaded not guilty to charges of plying for hire without a license, and permitting his hack and vehicle to ply for hire without a license. Mr Leatham appeared for tho defendant. After hearing evidence, the Bench inflicted a fine of 40s and costs on one count only.—E. W. Taylor was, charged with having undertaken certain plumbing work without having been licensed by tho Drainage Board. Mr Fisher appeared for the complainant, and Mr Russell for the defendant. Mr Fisher explained that the prosecution was laid, not because the defendant was unlicensed, but because he was working without licensed supervision. There was another similar charge against the same defendant. Mr Bishop reserved, his decision in both cases.

Truancy.—Charles Molzard was fined 2s for not sending hid. child regularly to school. •'

■ Affiliation. —A charge against Charles Robertson, of failing to provide for the support of his illegitimate child, was disriiiased without prejudice. Mr Flesher appeared for the complainant, and Mr Donnelly for the defendant.